Just dropping in to say hello. I just sold my 2012 DL650 and picked up a new 2013 800XC. $12.5K OTD for those that are in the market. A touring screen thrown in for good measure. Not too bad and I got the khaki green that I like.

Well, I was considering an FZ1 also. The reason I'm asking is that I'd like to get something more suited to longer days in the saddle than my current Thruxton is. I'd like something more utilitarian and had been considering a Tiger. I'm justifying any future purchase to SWMBO by suggesting the weather protection will be worth the price. Is it?

Well, I was considering an FZ1 also. The reason I'm asking is that I'd like to get something more suited to longer days in the saddle than my current Thruxton is. I'd like something more utilitarian and had been considering a Tiger. I'm justifying any future purchase to SWMBO by suggesting the weather protection will be worth the price. Is it?

After riding the Tiger, it was hard to find the footpegs on the FZ1 (because the rearset position is much more aggressive). Riding my buddys' sportbikes lately has sealed the deal that I can't go back to one.... Especially because I can still keep up on the Tiger on the kind of roads I love riding.

Well, I was considering an FZ1 also. The reason I'm asking is that I'd like to get something more suited to longer days in the saddle than my current Thruxton is. I'd like something more utilitarian and had been considering a Tiger. I'm justifying any future purchase to SWMBO by suggesting the weather protection will be worth the price. Is it?

The stock shield isn't bad, compared to most OEM offerings I've ridden behind. Many Tiger owners do get some buffeting on the helmet and some noise. I put an extender on the stock shield and solved the buffeting, and I wear earplugs anyway.

For another $300 or so the Madstad seems to be the 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed solution for noise and turbulence. There's a thread in the Beasts section dedicated to Tiger 800 windshields with a lot of info.

As for rideability, the Tiger is very nice for hundreds of miles at a time. The pillion might want an upgrade to that seat and the rider has a plethora of seat choices as well to make it even more comfy.

Seat Concepts now lists a Standard and Tall version of their foam/cover kits that can be installed on the OEM pan.

There is plenty of power for carrying two plus luggage and it handles very well.

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Well, I was considering an FZ1 also. The reason I'm asking is that I'd like to get something more suited to longer days in the saddle than my current Thruxton is. I'd like something more utilitarian and had been considering a Tiger. I'm justifying any future purchase to SWMBO by suggesting the weather protection will be worth the price. Is it?

For weather protection I would recommend a car. No motorcycle is going to afford any kind of weather protection.

Is the Tiger 800 better than the Thruxton? Yes, immensely. The performance gain is worth the price of admission, for either model.

On the 'offroad' vid from Vegas....so now I understand what 'offroad' is.

The stock shield isn't bad, compared to most OEM offerings I've ridden behind. Many Tiger owners do get some buffeting on the helmet and some noise. I put an extender on the stock shield and solved the buffeting, and I wear earplugs anyway.

For another $300 or so the Madstad seems to be the 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed solution for noise and turbulence. There's a thread in the Beasts section dedicated to Tiger 800 windshields with a lot of info.

As for rideability, the Tiger is very nice for hundreds of miles at a time. The pillion might want an upgrade to that seat and the rider has a plethora of seat choices as well to make it even more comfy.

Seat Concepts now lists a Standard and Tall version of their foam/cover kits that can be installed on the OEM pan.

There is plenty of power for carrying two plus luggage and it handles very well.